Buckle



(No Model.)

N. NELSON.

j BUCKLE. v No. 599,626. :Paten-ted Feb. 22, 1898.

jVeZs M23011 Wiigesses .I so

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NELS NELSON, OF LITOHFIELD, MINNESOTA.

BUCKLE.

SPECIFICATION forming partof Letters Patent No. 599,626, dated February 22, 1898.

3 Application filed March 23,1897. $erial No. 628,908. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, NELs NELSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Litchfield, in the county of Meeker and State of Minnesota,

have invented a new and useful Buckle, of

which the following is a specification.

This invention provides means for locking the tongues of buckles, whereby their position is fixed and the tongue held against movement, which is objectionable for many reasons. In double harness the buckles for securing the side or branch lines to the main lines, not being subjected to tension at all times and flopping about with the reins, frequently have their tongues move away from the buckle-frame and engage with parts of the harness or with fly-nets to the annoyance of I the driver and discomfort of the team. It is the purpose of this invention to overcome these objectionable features and to combine with the tongue a means for securing or looking it when applied, thereby holding the tongue in positive engagement with the buckle-frame at all times and under all conditions except when released at the will of the teamster or person adjusting the buckle or harness.

For a full understanding of the merits and advantages of the invention reference is to be. had to the accompanying drawings and the following description.

The improvement is susceptible of various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof, and to a full disclosure of the invention an adaptation thereof is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a buckle constructed in accordance with this invention.. Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof, the

dotted lines showing the position of the locking-arms when disengaged from the buckleframe. Fig. 3 is a side elevation, the dotted lines showing the position assumed by the locking-arms prior to swinging them into engagement with the keepers provided on the buckle-frame. 7

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in the several views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

is shown as of rectangular form and has a middle cross-bar '1, a brace-bar 2, and keep ers 3 at one end. The intermediate bar 1 is channeled in its outer side, as shown at 4, to receive the outwardly-extending members -5, forming a part of the tongue 6, and openings are provided in the side bars of the frame in line with the channel 4 for the passage of the parts 5. A locking-arm 7 is applied to the outer portion of each part 5 and extends about parallel with the tongue 6 and is elastic to admitof its free end being sprung into engagement with the keeper 3, thereby locking the tongue 6 in engagement with the end bar of the buckle-frame. The cross-bar 1 braces the parts 5 and sustains the strain of the strap or branch line connected therewith. By making the parts 5 sufficiently stout the part 1 may be dispensed with, and such construction is contemplatedwithin the scope .of the invention, although not preferred. I

The tongue 6, outwardly-extending parts v5, and locking-arms 7 are integrally formed and constitute parts of a single wire which is doubled upon itself and twisted for a short distance, forming the tongue, thence having its end portions bent outwardly, forming the parts 5, and again bent to extend parallel, or nearly so, with the tongue 6, whereby the locking-arms 7 are formed. For all intents and purposes a single locking-arm may be employed but it is preferred to have two,.thereby equalizing the strain and providing a buckle of like appearance from either side. The locking-arms and tongue are so related that when the end portion of the tongue is in engagement with the end bar of the buckleframe the free ends of the locking-arms stand away from the keepers 3, as indicated by the dotted lines in Figs. 2 and 3, whereby to make engagement with the said keepers it is necessary to spring them behind the said keepers, advantage being taken of the normal tendency of the arms to regain their normal position .to retain them in positive engagement with the said keepers. The cross-bar 2 serves to brace the tongue and reinforce it at a point intermediate of its ends.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. In a buckle, the combination of the frame,

a tongue pivoted to the frame, a spring lockin g-arm exterior to the buckle-frame and connected to a journal of the pivoted tongue, and a keeper provided on the frame to engage with the free end of the looking-arm and hold it and the tongue in a normal position against turning backward, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In a buckle, the combination of a frame having lateral keepers at one end, a tongue having oppositelyextending parts forming journals obtaining bearings in the side bars of the frame, and spring locking-arms exterior to the buckle-frame and integral with the journals of the pivoted tongue and adapted to engage with the aforesaid keepers and hold the tongue closed, substantially in the manner set forth for the purpose described.

3. In a buckle, the combination of a crossbar having a groove, a tongue having outwardly-extending portions seated in the said groove, and a locking-arm having connection with an outwardly-extending portion of the tongue, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a buckle, the combination of a frame having keepers and provided with a crossbar having a groove, a tongue having outwardly-extending portions seated in the said groove, and spring locking-arms applied to the outer ends of the said outwardly-extending parts and adapted to be sprung into engagement with the aforesaid keepers to retain the tongue in place, substantially as set forth.

5. In a buckle, the combination of a frame having keepers, and a Wire doubled upon itself and twisted together a short distance, forming a tongue, and having its end portions bent outwardly and passing through openings in the sides of the buckle-frame, and again bent, forming locking-arms to be sprung into engagement with the keepers, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. The herein-described buckle, comprising a frame having side keepers at one end, a cross-bar grooved in one side, and a brace-bar intermediate of the cross-bar and an end bar of the frame, and a wire doubled upon itself and twisted together, forming a tongue, and having its end portions bent outwardly and seated in the groove of the cross-bar, and passing through openings in the side bars of the buckle-frame, and bent about parallel with the tongue, and adapted to have the terminals of the outer bent ends sprung into ongagement With the aforesaid keepers, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

NELS NELSON.

Vitnesses:

EDW. P. PETERSON, LUCY BURKE. 

